PREVIEW PANEL FOR THE AFLW GRAND FINAL:
SATURDAY, March 24
* Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions at Ikon Park, 1.05pm
* Head to head: Round 6, 2017 – Lions 2.11 (23) def Bulldogs 2.4 (16) at South Pine Sports Complex.
Round 2, 2018 – Bulldogs 5.3 (33) def Lions 3.6 (24) at South Pine Sports Complex.
* Grand final record: Bulldogs – first grand final appearance. Lions – lost 2017 grand final to Adelaide by six points at Metricon Stadium.
* William Hill: Bulldogs $1.67 Lions $2.20
* Last five: Bulldogs LWWLW Lions WWLLW
The Bulldogs go into the grand final as clear favourites after finishing a game clear on top of the ladder, but it hasn’t been an easy road for Paul Groves’ side. They lost gun youngsters Daria Bannister and Isabel Huntington to season-ending injuries in the first fortnight of the competition and then star skipper Katie Brennan for three matches with an ankle injury. Despite their troubles, the Dogs still had the competition’s most potent attack, with AFLW leading goalkicker Brooke Lochland a standout with 12 majors. The Lions needed a lot to go right for them to make their second grand final, so they go in as underdogs but have the weapons to pull off an upset. Prolific midfielder Ally Anderson is the second highest possession winner in the league, while forward Jess Wuetschner is second on the goalkickers’ list with 11. They will be desperate to avoid another disappointment after last year’s loss to Adelaide in the first ever AFLW grand final.
* The coaches: Paul Groves (Bulldogs) – “They don’t hand us a cup for (finishing top), so we’re pretty steadfast in that we’re going to enjoy this … it’s a different week for us now but we want to put our hands around the big (trophy).”
Craig Starcevich (Lions) – “We’re in it so we’re 50-50 – we’ve had a very strong performance (against Greater Western Sydney) on Friday night and we’re very confident to play anyone.”
Tip: Bulldogs by 7 points.